Around the Campus Gridiron

By Rhonda Reigstad

The regular college football season is barely over and there have been many moves in the coaching ranks. That and a couple other thoughts from the college world.

University of Miami coach Larry Coker lost his job after losing three games in each of the last three seasons. Many colleges would keep this guy around but not Miami . Anything less than a top 10 finish in the Associated Press or a high bowl bid is not acceptable.

Already rumored to take over the head coaching job is current athletic director and former head football coach Barry Alvarez from Wisconsin . He and Miami president Donna Shalala have kept a close relationship since her departure from Wisconsin in the mid-1990s. Even before the departure of Coker, there were rumors swirling that Alvarez would leave Wisconsin for a more elusive position in college football. Not so, as he signed a multi-year contract and took over as athletic director upon the retirement of Pat Richter.

New Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema was contacted by the University of Miami about their opening and quickly denied interest.

Iowa State University coach Dan McCarney resigned under pressure after 12 years at the helm. Iowa State named Texas co-defensive coordinator Gene Chizik as his replacement. Chizik has said he will revive the team that went 4-8 this past season.

Coaching prowess doesn't seem to run in the family. The University of Alabama fired coach Mike Shula after going 6-6 this season. Alabama has had four coaches in six seasons so one can hardly blame Shula in his quest to build a program. Shula was 26-23 in four seasons and failed to beat in state rival Auburn all four years. Their next coach will be number eight in 24 years since Paul "Bear" Bryant left.

They are seeking a "proven winner" and Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban has been mentioned as a replacement and he has denied any interest. Saban was quoted as saying "I've got a job to do here. My focus is our players, this team, us getting better, us playing good, winning football. I'm not interested in any other circumstances or situations anyplace else."

Michigan State University let go coach John L. Smith and quickly hired University of Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio. Dantonio was a former defensive coordinator at Michigan State and should settle into the job quickly. "This is a dream come true for me. It's great to come back and it's great to be home", Dantonio said. One of the first things Dantonio has promised to do is get a hold on recruiting in the Midwest . A native of Ohio , he created a lot of strong ties to that area along with others in the Michigan area while he was a defensive coordinator at Michigan State .

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has been named interim coach at Cincinnati until they find a replacement.

The University of Southern California beat Notre Dame handily, 44-24. USC is the new number two team in the country, edging out Michigan for the top spot in their quest for the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). Despite Ohio State beating Michigan , they both stayed number one and two in the country. USC plays UCLA this weekend and depending on how that game turns out should determine who will meet in the BCS at the end of the year at the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe , Arizona .

University of Wisconsin Badgers coach Bret Bielema was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in his first season at the helm for the Badgers. He is the first rookie coach to get ten wins or more in his first season.

The Badgers men's basketball team is having success on the court as well. They are a preseason number nine rank and the football team is number seven in the country. It's the first time in over forty years that the football and basketball teams are both in the top 10. ON WISCONSIN !!

So many moves so early after the season is over. It should be an interesting offseason to see how things go in the coaching ranks.

 

 

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